Thanks all around

Rep. Warren Chisum, the Pampa Republican who heads the Appropriations Committee, thanked his fellow budget-writers and staff before the House gave preliminary approval to the two-year, $150.1 billion budget.

Then Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, thanked Chisum. Although House members departed from Chisum’s position in substituting an across-the-board teacher pay raise for teacher incentive programs — and many Democrats had harsh criticism for aspects of the budget — Gallego said Chisum listened to and worked well with lawmakers.

“All of us would be remiss if we didn’t say ‘thank you’ to you,” Gallego said. “You’ve done a good job.”

Chisum got a standing ovation. The preliminary vote was a healthy 132-16.